CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Welcome to this the Autumn Edition of the Newsletter and the first since I took over as Chairman in September. As we all are probably aware the emergency services are facing further cuts in their budgets and Hampshire Constabulary are not exempt from this. The Force is required to make a further £25 million worth of savings before the end of 2016. This will inevitably impact on the services they provide and the number of front line officers. In Alresford we may be forgiven for thinking that the types of crime we experience are not considered serious, but nevertheless they are serious to the victims.

Since its inception in 1982 Neighbourhood Watch has grown to cover 25% of the households in the country and its aim to bring neighbours together to create strong, friendly, active communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely to happen, is very relevant in todays changing police landscape. Crime cannot flourish in a Community that cares. Perhaps a first step for some of us is to find out who is their local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator: e-mail- contact.adnwa@gmail.com

We are fortunate in Alresford in that there are 88 Co-ordinators covering all parts of the town and the surrounding villages.

Finally, ADNWA will be moving away from this form of communication with you, so from February 2015 please look out for us in The Forum, as we move to a monthly news article, which will keep you all updated more frequently.

AND IT’S GOODBYE FROM THE EDITOR.........

This Newsletter has been produced continuously since 1992 and I have been Editor for the past 12 years. In some ways I’m sorry it is stopping. However things change and by general agreement the move to a more up to date bulletin in the monthly Forum is the way to go.
 
So, a thank you to all our readers. The job of collating and publishing Neighbourhood Watch information now passes to Graham Smith.

We thank James White fencing for their sponsorship of this Newsletter

SPECIAL CONSTABLE JOHN WILDING

John may often be seen in Alresford in his voluntary job as a Special Constable. He is happy to engage with anyone, may be relied upon to listen, and if necessary deal with any issues which may be raised.

The role of a Special Constable involves attending incidents with regular officers. This could mean anything from burglaries to public order incidents, including:-Neighbourhood policing foot patrol / Dealing with anti-social behaviour / Road safety issues / House to house enquiries / Attending public events.

The work is challenging but rewarding and requires an ability to listen and empathise with the general public in order to help protect the community. Further information at:http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/about-us/join-us/special-constabulary

NO COLD CALLING ZONES

Cold Calling continues to be a problem for many of us. Alresford has a growing number of streets designated as No Cold Calling Zones. (NCCZ). The latest area to be working towards the scheme is Nursery Road.

No Cold Calling Zones work, having proved to be a success across Hampshire. Since the introduction of a zone in their area, 72% of residents felt safer living within a Zone and they felt more confident when dealing with cold callers.

A NCCZ is relatively easy to set up and needs only 66% of households in the immediate area to be in agreement. Further details call 01962833620, or at- http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingstandards/tradingstandards-consumer/ts-nocoldcalling-zones.htm

NOT RECEIVING THE FORUM

If you currently do not receive regular delivery of the FORUM, please e-mail: editor@forumpublications.co.uk We are assured that they are interested in hearing of distribution problems.


CRIME IN PROGRESS? — RING 999 NOW - NOT TOMORROW


ADNWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This was held at Alresford Golf Club on September 25th.

David Pain, ADNWA Chairman for the last three years was succeeded by Vice Chairman Gareth Rees. Committee changes were agreed at the Committee meeting held in November.

Attendance was somewhat disappointing at 25, but may reflect the lack of local concern about crime in the area.

David Pain commended all past and present Coordinators for their support and said how lucky we are that crime continues at a low level. Praise and thanks must go to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Sergeant Mark Lamper, who will be leaving Alresford for Fareham shortly, as part of the latest round of cuts forced on Hampshire Constabulary, said that there has been no increase in crime across the town and its surrounding villages this year. The trend still is that it is going down. One crime on the increase seems to be sheds, so everyone should take care. Also people are still leaving vehicles unlocked, with valuables in the boot.

The Guest Speaker was our local MP Steve Brine, recently appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Policing and Justice (Mike Penning). He had, earlier in the day, been in the town knocking on doors in and around Benenden Green.

After commending the Association as a working example of the Big Society in action, he gave the meeting a fascinating insight into life as a new boy in Parliament. This does involve some disruption of family life and he recalls a misheard telephone conversation with one of his young children, who asked why Daddy was “in a boat”. Steve had had to hang up suddenly to go and VOTE!

After fielding a number of questions, he then had to dash off to catch the train to Westminster for the next day’s vote on Iraq and wished the Association all the very best for the next 12 months.

USEFUL CONTACTS
Mention that you are in an active Neighbourhood Watch area when placing calls
EMERGENCY 999 Crime in progress
Life in danger
Violence being used
NON –EMERGENCY 101

Report minor crime
Abandoned Vehicles
Street Lighting
Anti Social behaviour

0845 045 45 45 Contact Police officer
Leave messages
Winchester & East Hants Neighbourhood Watch website - www.wehnw.org.uk
Hampshire Constabulary web site
www.hampshire.police.uk
Alresford & District Neighbourhood Watch web site
www.neighbourhood.watch.alresford.org

Constabulary Column

from
Alresford’s Sergeant Mark Lampner

Recently there have been several complaints about noise and antisocial behaviour in the car park and playing field at Arlebury Park. The police are carrying out patrols, will confiscate alcohol and tobacco and will issue Section 59 warning notices to any vehicle acting in an anti-social manner. This may result in the vehicle being seized.

 
Also, there is now a Section 35 dispersal authority in place (Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014), which allows Police to disperse anyone causing anti-social behaviour from Arlebury Park for up to 48 hours. Anyone who breaches this is liable for prosecution.

In September there was a spate of burglaries in Cheriton and commercial vehicles are being targeted, both on people’s driveways and in commercial parks. There have also been several fuel thefts across the district.

 
While Alresford continues to be a relatively low crime area everyone is encouraged to be alert and secure property wherever possible.

COORDINATOR NEWS

It is very sad to have to report that Don Meadwell, previously Committee member and Coordinator Liaison officer died in April. He had moved away from Alresford to be nearer his family.

We welcome several new Coordinators – in town Les Widdicombe has taken over Hankins Court from Anthony Oxley and Tim Mason has taken on the new watch at the Bakeland Gardens development, off Spring Gardens.

In the rural area, Chris Day has taken over Bramdean from Robin Disney and Don Wilson replaces Dr Alan Jordan in Itchen Abbas.

Our sincere thanks go to all those Coordinators who have given their time to Neighbourhood Watch over many years.